A Quick Guide to the Top 5 Mobile App Development Frameworks

For many people, mobile app development can be a mentally taxing job. Inputting hundreds (sometimes thousands) lines of codes is not an easy task. Aside from having a tendency for making errors in programming that can result in bugs, coding from scratch is tedious. With the invention of frameworks, mobile app developers now have a tool to simplify their work process with a lesser risk for mistakes.

What Are Frameworks?

A framework in programming refers to a platform used to develop software applications which define a programming system’s structure. You can think of it as already existing software that programmers can use to create their own applications. It is a bunch of codes that you can use over and over again in a specific functionality or task. With the creation of frameworks, web and mobile app, programmers can use a pre-defined set of codes without the need to reinvent the wheel.

In today’s fast-paced environment, businesses require fast changes to cope with the rapid shifts in consumer demand. Without using frameworks, developers may need to spend too much time coding programs that could have just been reused. Frameworks then simplify application development without the need to add extra code. These also make maintenance of mobile apps much more manageable by working with databases with better efficiency. On top of all these advantages, mobile application frameworks slash development cost, which favors both mobile app agencies and customers.

Top Mobile App Development Frameworks

Almost every year, frameworks are upgraded and enhanced for better functionality. Some frameworks integrate the latest trends and technologies (such as progressive web apps) that have just been released in a specific year. Thus, even non-developers who want to get the most of the updates in technology should know the latest versions or releases of the frameworks to gain an edge over the competition.

Here are some of the widely-used frameworks:

• Ionic

Aside from being free of cost, Ionic is a framework of choice by many mobile app developers due to its flexibility and ease of use. It is a client-side framework that helps programmers in combining the functionalities of native-based apps and web programming languages HTML, CSS3, and JavaScript.

Ionic also supports the latest mobile hardware and software. Because of its capacity to build hybrid apps, it is one of the favorite apps to develop progressive web apps (PWAs), which many companies use today because of its ability to run in multiple devices.

• Xamarin

For developers with a solid background in Microsoft-developed languages C# and .NET, using Xamarin is a definite edge. As an open-source framework developed and released by the software giant in 2011, Xamarin uses a single code base for building apps for all operating systems. It has specific versions for Android, iOS, and MacOS. Microsoft takes pride that this framework has fewer bugs and can be used to build apps swiftly. It also has reusable functions and tools as well as the capacity for code sharing with Windows and Mac OS platforms.

• PhoneGap

Adobe PhoneGap makes mobile application development easy even for people with no advanced software programming background. People with minimal skills in basic web development languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can get started in creating apps using this framework. This stable and reliable tool provides developers the liberty to work without facing any hardware restrictions. It also allows them to build a single app that can run in multiple operating systems.

PhoneGap can also integrate with different libraries for app creation. Moreover, it has an advanced feature that allows users to manage and view any changes in the app easily. And since the team behind Apache Cordova develops it, it can freely use Cordova’s plug-ins to extend its functionalities.

• React Native

As a framework released by Facebook, React Native has a reputation as the future of hybrid apps. This framework has a unique property that allows developers to build apps that can run in multiple platforms using native components, which give mobile app users a native-like experience.

This framework has an active community that makes it easy for developers to come up with an app. Because of the community’s support, React Native developers can develop applications with ease.

However, this framework has a significant downside. It only works with JavaScript, a language that is too advanced for beginners. But React Native’s capabilities and supportive community makes this popular platform for expert app developers.

• Google Flutter

Flutter is the newcomer in the mobile application development scene. It is best suited for building hybrid apps. With its advanced features, Flutter makes the lives of mobile app developers stress-free as it streamlines and optimizes the development process. What’s more, with its the Hot Reload functionality, programmers can test the project even without restarting the application.

However, developers using Flutter can face serious challenges such as the platform’s need for continuous support and lack of libraries.

The mobile app development process has become streamlined with the emergence of frameworks. As a client, these descriptions give you a quick guide as to what type of framework your mobile app developers are using and whether the platform is aligned to your requirements.